The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs (3)

The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs (3)

Years went by, and the boy grew up handsome and strong.
He was honest, generous, hardworking, and kind.

Now one day the King was riding out once again, though this time he was not in disguise.

It happened that he stopped at the mill for a drink of cold water and saw the handsome young man who was hard at work fixing the mill wheel.

" Is that your son ? " he asked the miller.

The miller told him how the boy had come to them, and if he thought the shock on the king's face was one of delight, he was wrong.

The king knew for certain it was the boy he had thrown away.
Being both crafty and wicked, he said at once, " My good miller, may I borrow your son to take a message to the queen ? "

" At once, Majesty, " replied the miller.

A king does not borrow, but commands, of course.

Then the king wrote a note and sealed it.

The note said, " As soon as the boy arrives with this letter, you are to have him killed and buried, and all must be done before I return. "

He gave it to the boy without a moment's trouble on his conscience.

(3/18)